Hatching day: pips, zips and patience

What's normal, and when (rarely) to help.

1. 1

   Chicks pip internally, then externally, then rest for up to 24 hours before zipping. This is normal.

2. 2

   Chicks can stay in the incubator for 24 hours after hatch — they absorbed the yolk.

3. 3

   Only assist if a chick has been pipped externally for 24h+ with no progress and the membrane is drying.